Trees Bees Use - Fuchsia - a bee forage plant

by Michael Duggan, Ireland

Apicultural value
Fuchsia magellanica and its relative Fuchsia excorticata are important sources of nectar for Apis mellifera. They are highly rated and their pollen is very distinctive. Fuchsia are also popular with some species of bumblebees. It is recommended for planting for bees.

Botanical names
Fuchsia magellanica
Fuchsia excorticata

Family
Onagraceae

Names
English – Fuchsia
Irish – Fiúìse
Spanish – Fucsia
New Zealand – Konini Kotukutuku

Fuchsia magellanica is a native of South America and Fuchsia excorticate is native in New Zealand. They grow prolifically in temperate and oceanic climates. In the west of Ireland and south-west England it withstands high winds but not frosts. They grow 3-15 metres high and Fuchsia magellanica is often planted as a hedge on either side of a lane as the bushy growth is impenetrable. It does not appear to grow 400 m above sea level in this climate. Fuchsia excorticata grows profusely on the fringes of the bush on the north and south islands of New Zealand.

Pollen grains
Dark blue and sticky, and the viscous threads joining them are very distinctive. They are triangular in the polar view and with three lobes or conical projections. Large as a family, and Fuchsia grains are 75 µm.

Botanical description
Fuchsia magellanica has thin stems, generally arching with a pale bark which peals in long strips.

Leaves
Opposite or in threes

Flowers
Purple with red sepals, pendant which protects the nectar and bees from the rain, and long slender stalks. Corrola with four red petals paired with leaf axils.

Fruit
An oblong berry, black and very juicy when ripe.

Honey
Pale yellow with a delicate flavour and low viscosity. In spite of a wet climate it often has a moisture content of 16-17% and in the west of Ireland does not crystallise.

First published in BfD Journal #85

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